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Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry, Vol. 51, 259-266, February 2003, Copyright © 2003, The Histochemical Society, Inc.

ARTICLE

Differential Expression of Connexin43 Gap Junctions in Cardiomyocytes Isolated from Canine Thoracic Veins

Hung-I. Yeha,b, Yu-Jun Laia, Yi-Nan Leea, Yi-Jen Chenb,c, Yao-Chang Chend, Chih-Chun Chena, Shih-Ann Chenc, Cheng-I. Lind, and Cheng-Ho Tsaia,b
a Departments of Internal Medicine and Medical Research, Mackay Memorial Hospital and Mackay Junior College of Nursing,
b Taipei Medical University,
c Taipei Veterans General Hospital and National Yang-Ming University
d Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute of Pharmacology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan

Correspondence to: Cheng-Ho Tsai, Dept. of Cardiac Medicine, Mackay Memorial Hospital, 92, Sec 2, North Chung San Road, Taipei 10449, Taiwan. E-mail: cht7678@ms2.mmh.org.tw

We investigated the phenotypic features of cardiomyocytes, including the gap junctions, in the myocardial sleeve of thoracic veins. Single cardiomyocytes, isolated from the canine pulmonary veins (PV) and superior vena cava (SVC) using digestive enzymes, were examined by immunoconfocal microscopy using antisera against connexin43 (Cx43), Cx40, and other cell markers. The results showed that isolated cardiomyocytes displayed rod shapes of various sizes, ranging from <50 µm to >200 µm in length, and all the cells expressed {alpha}-actinin and vinculin. Gap junctions made of various amounts of Cx43 and Cx40 were found at the cell borders. These two connexins were extensively co-localized. Comparison between the thoracic veins showed that cells of the SVC contained more Cx43 gap junctions (total Cx43 gap junctions area per cell surface area, 4.0 ± 0.2% vs 1.5 ± 0.2%; p<0.01). In addition, for single-nucleus cells, those from the PV were longer (103.7 ± 3.6 vs 85.0 ± 3.1 µm; p<0.01) but narrower (14.4 ± 0.5 vs 16.9 ± 0.9 µm; p<0.01). In conclusion, canine thoracic veins contain cardiomyocytes with differences in shape and gap junctions, suggesting that the electrical conduction properties may be different between the thoracic veins. (J Histochem Cytochem 51:259–266, 2003)

Key Words: gap junctions, connexins, myocardial sleeve, single cardiomyocytes


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